External patch packaging structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention has an object to provide a novel external patch packaging structure which suppresses leakage of a chemical solution at the time of opening a bag material. In an external patch packaging structure obtained by enclosing an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution in a bag material, as the bag material, one closed by a heat seal band provided at a periphery is used, the heat seal band includes: an easy-peel seal portion; and a strong seal portion having a higher seal strength than the easy-peel seal portion, and when the easy-peel seal portion is peeled off and the bag material is opened, the strong seal portion restricts a peeling area of the heat seal band, and thus a liquid storage pocket is formed inside the bag material.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to an external patch packaging structure obtained by enclosing an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution in a bag material.

Related Art

An external patch is applied on the skin surface to give the skin surface a feeling of cooling or warmness, or to administer an active ingredient contained in a base or chemical solution in a transdermal manner. The forms of the external patch mainly include one in which a base is applied on one side of a sheet-like support to form a patch surface, or one in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution.

Many external patches in which a base is applied on one side of a support are used for compresses and cooling sheets. External patches of this type generally have a packaging structure in which they are distributed and stored in a state where the patch surface is protected by laminating a peeling film such as a plastic film on the patch surface, and the patch surface is exposed by removing the peeling film during use.

On the other hand, external patches in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution are often used for cosmetic sheets such as face masks. External patches of this type generally have a packaging structure in which they are distributed and stored in a state where one or more supports and a chemical solution are enclosed in a bag material, and the bag material is opened during use.

Here, those having a packaging structure in which a plurality of supports are enclosed in a bag material together with a chemical solution often adopt, as the bag material, one with a zipper and are structured such that the bag material is opened via the zipper, and the zipper is closed after the external patch is taken out.

On the other hand, those having a packaging structure in which a single support is enclosed in a bag material together with a chemical solution often adopt, as the bag material, one whose peripheral edge is closed by a heat seal band (seal by heat fusion) and are structured such that a part of the bag material is cut or the heat seal band is peeled off to open the bag material (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-94426).

SUMMARY

Incidentally, a thin sheet-like non-woven fabric is generally used as a support for the external patch of the type in which the support is impregnated with a chemical solution. Therefore, in one structured such that a part of the bag material is cut to open the bag material, and the external patch is taken out while pulling it through the cut, the support may be torn or deformed due to the stress received when the external patch is pulled out.

With regard to this point, one structured such that the heat seal band provided at the periphery of the bag material is peeled off to open the bag material can unfold the bag material at the time of opening, so that the external patch can be easily taken out.

However, in the packaging structure obtained by enclosing the external patch in which the support is impregnated with a chemical solution in the bag material, an amount of the chemical solution exceeding the liquid absorption amount of the support is often enclosed in the bag material. Therefore, in some cases, an excessive amount of the chemical solution leaks at the time of unfolding the bag material, and clothes and the like are stained.

The present invention has been developed in view of this technical problem, and has an object to provide a novel external patch packaging structure which suppresses leakage of a chemical solution at the time of opening a bag material.

A first external patch packaging structure of the present invention for solving the technical problem is obtained by enclosing an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution in a bag material. The bag material is closed by a heat seal band provided at a periphery excluding a fold line of a sheet which is folded in two. The heat seal band includes: an easy-peel seal portion; and a strong seal portion having a higher seal strength than the easy-peel seal portion. When the easy-peel seal portion is peeled off and the bag material is opened, the strong seal portion restricts a peeling area of the heat seal band, and thus a liquid storage pocket surrounded by the fold line and the strong seal portion is formed inside the bag material (hereinafter referred to as the “present-invention first packaging structure”).

In the present-invention first packaging structure, it is preferable that the strong seal portions are provided at two positions facing each other across the fold line in the heat seal band.

In the present-invention first packaging structure, it is preferable that the easy-peel seal portion has a seal strength of 7N or less, and that the seal strength of the strong seal portion is 10N or more.

A second external patch packaging structure of the present invention for solving the technical problem is obtained by enclosing an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution in a bag material. The bag material is closed by a heat seal band provided at a periphery of two sheets, which are overlaid in a partially joined state, excluding a joint portion. The heat seal band includes: an easy-peel seal portion; and a strong seal portion having a higher seal strength than the easy-peel seal portion. When the easy-peel seal portion is peeled off and the bag material is opened, the strong seal portion restricts a peeling area of the heat seal band, and thus a liquid storage pocket surrounded by the joint portion and the strong seal portion is formed inside the bag material (hereinafter referred to as the “present-invention second packaging structure”).

In the present-invention second packaging structure, it is preferable that the joint portion is constructed by the strong seal portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress leakage of a chemical solution at the time of opening a bag material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a present-invention first packaging structure according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing it in a partially broken state.

FIG. 2A is a front view showing a folded state of an external patch packaged by the present-invention first packaging structure, and FIG. 2B is a front view showing an unfolded state thereof.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views showing opening of the present-invention first packaging structure in a stepwise manner.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are front views showing steps until the present-invention first packaging structure is opened and the external patch is taken out in a stepwise manner.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a perspective view and a front view showing another embodiment of the present-invention first packaging structure.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a present-invention first packaging structure according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing it in a partially broken state.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are front views showing steps until the present-invention first packaging structure is opened and the external patch is taken out in a stepwise manner.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a present-invention second packaging structure according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing it in a partially broken state.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are front views showing steps until the present-invention second packaging structure is opened and the external patch is taken out in a stepwise manner.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a front view showing another embodiment of the present-invention second packaging structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, although embodiments of the present invention are described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[First Embodiment]

<Present-Invention First Packaging Structure 1 a>

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a present-invention first packaging structure 1 a according to a first embodiment. The present-invention first packaging structure 1 a has a packaging form in which an “external patch (2)” is enclosed in a “bag material (3)”.

—External Patch 2—

The external patch 2 is obtained by impregnating a support 20 with a chemical solution 21. In the present embodiment, a pulp nonwoven fabric (thickness of 0.35 mm) is used as the support 20, and an emulsion cosmetic liquid is used as the chemical solution 21. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the present embodiment, the support 20 has a shape imitating a human face, and is enclosed in the bag material 3 together with the chemical solution 21 in a folded state. The external patch 2 can be unfolded by pulling it left and right from the folded state, and is used as a pack sheet to be applied on the face after unfolding.

—Bag Material 3—

The bag material 3 is closed by a “heat seal band (4)” provided at the periphery of the sheet which is folded in two except for a fold line 31. In the present embodiment, an aluminum vapor-deposited sheet that has been subjected to aluminum vapor-deposition treatment on one side of a polyethylene base film is folded in two so that the base film side is the inner surface, and three sides excluding the fold line 31 are subjected to heat fusion treatment to form the bag material 3. That is, the bag material 3 in the present embodiment is a rectangular package having a so-called three-side seal packaging structure. Note that, at one corner of the bag material 3 according to the present embodiment, a knob portion 30 not surrounded by the seal band 4 is provided in a state of protruding from the bag material 3. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bag material 3 is structured such that the seal band 4 is peeled off and opened by opening the knob portion 30 to the left and right.

—Heat Seal Band 4—

The heat seal band 4 means a sealed portion by heat fusion provided to close the bag material 3. In the present embodiment, the heat seal band 4 is provided so as to draw a U shape with a constant seal width (8 mm) on the periphery of the bag material 3 excluding the fold line 31. The length of the side facing the fold line 31 of the bag material 3 in the heat seal band 4 is set to 150 mm, and the length (Y) of the pair of sides facing each other across the fold line 31 is set to 120 mm.

In the present invention, the heat seal band 4 includes an easy-peel seal portion 41 and a strong seal portion 42 having a higher seal strength than the easy-peel seal portion 41. In the present embodiment, the easy-peel seal portion 41 has a seal strength of 4N (based on JIS 0238 “Testing methods for heat sealed flexible packages”. The same applies to the descriptions of “seal strength” below), and is provided in almost the entire area of the heat seal band 4. On the other hand, the strong seal portion 42 has a seal strength of 30N, and is provided at a position adjacent to the fold line 31 in the heat seal band 4 so that the length (X) is 10 mm.

<Opening of Present-Invention First Packaging Structure 1 a>

FIGS. 4A to 4C show a state where the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a is opened and the external patch 2 is taken out. As described above, the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a is structured such that the seal band 4 is peeled off and opened by opening the knob portion 30 provided on the bag material 3 to the left and right (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the heat seal band 4 is peeled off using the knob portion 30 as a handle, in the first stage of opening, the easy-peel seal portion 41 having a relatively low sealing strength in the heat seal band 4 is peeled off, so that the peeling work of the heat seal band 4 can be easily performed.

When the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is continued subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the final stage of opening, the peeling area of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42 having a high seal strength.

In the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a, the time when the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42 is set as the final point of the opening operation, and the external patch 2 enclosed in the bag material 3 is taken out at this time or at a desired timing up to this time.

Even when the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a opened in this way is opened to the maximum extent until the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42, as shown in FIG. 4C, a liquid storage pocket 5 surrounded by the fold line 31 and the strong seal portion 42 is formed in the bag material 3. The liquid storage pocket 5 serves as a tray for the chemical solution 21 remaining in the bag material 3. Thus, according to the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a, leakage of the chemical solution 21 when the bag material 3 is opened can be suitably suppressed.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, as the external patch 2, a pulp nonwoven fabric shaped like a human face is impregnated with a cosmetic liquid is used, but in the present invention, the support 20 constituting the external patch 2 and the chemical solution 21 are not particularly limited. That is, the support 20 is not particularly limited in terms of material, thickness, shape, etc., as long as it can absorb a liquid. Further, the chemical solution 21 is not particularly limited in terms of composition, ingredient, etc., as long as it has a property that can be absorbed by the support 20.

Further, in the present embodiment, a rectangular package made of an aluminum vapor-deposited sheet is used as the bag material 3, but in the present invention, the material of the sheet constituting the bag material 3 and the entire shape of the bag material 3 are not particularly limited. That is, the material, thickness, shape, etc., of the sheet constituting the bag material 3 are not particularly limited as long as the sheet does not allow the chemical solution 21 to permeate. Further, even if the sheet is a material difficult to be subjected to heat fusion, it can be used by interposing a material that can be subjected to heat fusion at the position where the heat seal band 4 is provided.

In the present embodiment, the knob portion 30 is provided at one corner of the bag material 3 so as to be used as a handle for opening the bag material 3, but in the present invention, the knob portion 30 is not an essential component. However, the opening of the bag material 3 is facilitated by the presence of the knob portion 30. In providing the knob portion 30 for the bag material 3, it is preferably provided at a position facing the fold line 31 (position away from the fold line 31), and in the case where the bag material 3 is rectangular as in the present embodiment, it is preferably provided at the side facing the fold line 31 or the corner formed by the side.

In the present embodiment, the heat seal band 4 is provided with a constant seal width (8 mm). However, in the present invention, the seal width of the heat seal band 4 is not particularly limited. Further, the seal width of the heat seal band 4 does not have to be constant over the entire area. The seal width of the heat seal band 4 is preferably 3 to 20 mm (more preferably 5 to 15 mm).

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the easy-peel seal portion 41 constituting the heat seal band 4 has a seal strength of 4N, whereas the strong seal portion 42 has a seal strength of 30N. However, the easy-peel seal portion 41 may have a seal strength which is easily peeled manually, and the strong seal portion 42 may have a seal strength that can restrict the peeling area of the heat seal band 4 during the opening operation. The seal strength of the easy-peel seal portion 41 is preferably 7N or less (more preferably 2 to 5 N), and the seal strength of the strong seal portion 42 is preferably 10N or more (more preferably 25 to 50 N).

In addition, in the present embodiment, the strong seal portion 42 is provided at a position adjacent to the fold line 31 in the heat seal band 4, but the strong seal portion 42 does not necessarily need to be adjacent to the fold line 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a, even if the strong seal portion 42 is provided at a position away from the fold line 31, as shown in FIG. 5B, the liquid storage pocket 5 surrounded by the fold line 31 and the strong seal portion 42 is formed at the time of opening.

[Second Embodiment]

<Present-Invention First Packaging Structure 1 a>

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a present-invention first packaging structure la according to a second embodiment. The present-invention first packaging structure 1 aaccording to the present embodiment is different from the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a according to the first embodiment only in that the shape of the knob portion 30 is different and strong seal portions 42 are provided at two positions, and the remaining configurations are the same.

—Knob Portion 30—

In the present embodiment, the knob portion 30 is provided by shortcutting the heat seal band 4 toward the inside of the bag material 3 at one corner of the rectangular bag material 3 (hereinafter, this portion in the heat seal band 4 is referred to as a “shortcut portion (410)”). In addition, the shortcut portion 410 has a V-shaped locus that is convex toward the apex of the corner of the bag material 3. The shortcut portion 410 belongs to the easy-peel seal portion 41, but the seal width (5 mm in the present embodiment) of the shortcut portion 410 is set to be thinner than the seal width (8 mm) of the other portion of the heat seal band 4.

—Strong Seal Portion 42—

In the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a according to the present embodiment, the strong seal portions 42 are provided at two positions facing each other across the fold line 31 in the heat seal band 4. Both strong seal portions 42 are provided at a position adjacent to the fold line 31, but the length (X1) of the strong seal portion 42 closer to the knob portion 30 is set to 40 mm, and the length (X2) of the other strong seal portion 42 is set to 10 mm.

<Opening of Present-Invention First Packaging Structure 1 a>

FIGS. 7A to 7C show a state where the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a is opened and the external patch 2 is taken out. As in the first embodiment, the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a is structured such that the seal band 4 is peeled off and opened by opening the knob portion 30 provided on the bag material 3 to the left and right.

When the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is continued using the knob portion 30 as a handle as shown in FIG. 7A, in the final stage of opening, the peeling area of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42 having a high seal strength as shown in FIG. 7B.

Even when the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a opened in this way is opened to the maximum extent until the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42, as shown in FIG. 7C, the liquid storage pocket 5 surrounded by the fold line 31 and the strong seal portion 42 is formed in the bag material 3. The liquid storage pocket 5 serves as a tray for the chemical solution 21 remaining in the bag material 3. Further, in the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a according to the present embodiment, since the strong seal portions 42 are provided at two positions, the volume of the liquid storage pocket 5 formed at the time of opening becomes relatively large, and a larger amount of the chemical solution 21 can be stored. Thus, according to the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a, leakage of the chemical solution 21 when the bag material 3 is opened can be further suitably suppressed.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, in forming the knob portion 30, the shortcut portion 410 has a V shape that is convex toward the apex of the corner of the bag material 3. However, in the present invention, the shape of the shortcut portion 410 is not particularly limited. However, if the shape of the shortcut portion 410 is a V shape that is convex toward the apex of the corner of the bag material 3, the stress required in the initial stage of opening of the bag material 3 is reduced, and the opening operation becomes easier. Further, if the seal width of the shortcut portion 410 is set to be narrower than the seal widths of other portions of the heat seal band 4, the stress required in the initial stage of opening is further reduced, and the opening operation becomes easier.

Further, in the present embodiment, the strong seal portions 42 provided at two portions have different lengths, but the lengths of the strong seal portions 42 may be the same. In the case where the lengths of the strong seal portions 42 are made different as in the present embodiment, it is preferred that the length of the strong seal portion 42 closer to the knob portion 30 is made longer than the other strong seal portion 42.

Since the remaining configurations are the same as the matters described in the first embodiment, the description is omitted here to avoid repetition.

[Third Embodiment]

<Present-Invention Second Packaging Structure 1 b>

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a present-invention second packaging structure 1 b according to a third embodiment. The present-invention second packaging structure 1 b is the same as the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a, except that the structure of the “bag material (3)” is different.

—Bag Material 3—

The bag material 3 is closed by the heat seal band 4 provided at the periphery of two sheets, which are overlaid in a partially joined state, excluding a joint portion 32. In the present embodiment, an aluminum vapor-deposited sheet that has been subjected to aluminum vapor-deposition treatment on one side of a polyethylene base film is overlaid so that the base film sides face each other, and the joint portion 32 and the remaining three sides are subjected to heat fusion treatment to form the bag material 3 That is, the bag material 3 in the present embodiment is a rectangular package having a so-called four-side seal packaging structure. In the present embodiment, the strong seal portions 42 are provided at two positions facing each other across the joint portion 32. Further, in the present embodiment, the joint portion 32 is subjected to the heat fusion treatment which is the same as the strong seal portions 42 so that the strong seal portions 42 are continuous at both ends of the joint portion 32.

<Opening of Present-Invention Second Packaging Structure 1 b>

FIGS. 9A to 9C show a state where the present-invention second packaging structure 1 b is opened and the external patch 2 is taken out. Similarly to the present-invention first packaging structure 1 a, the present-invention second packaging structure 1 b is structured such that the seal band 4 is peeled off and opened by opening the knob portion 30 provided on the bag material 3 to the left and right.

When the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is continued using the knob portion 30 as a handle as shown in FIG. 9A, in the final stage of opening, the peeling area of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42 having a high seal strength as shown in FIG. 9B.

Even when the present-invention second packaging structure 1 b opened in this way is opened to the maximum extent until the peeling of the heat seal band 4 is restricted by the strong seal portion 42, as shown in FIG. 9C, the liquid storage pocket 5 surrounded by the fold line 31 and the strong seal portion 42 is formed in the bag material 3. The liquid storage pocket 5 serves as a tray for the chemical solution 21 remaining in the bag material 3. Thus, according to the present-invention second packaging structure 1 b, leakage of the chemical solution 21 when the bag material 3 is opened can be suitably suppressed.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the joint portion 32 is subjected to the heat fusion treatment which is the same as the strong seal portions 42 so that the joint portion 32 is constructed by the strong seal portions 42. However, the means for constructing the joint portion 32 is not particularly limited. In constructing the joint portion 32 by heat fusion treatment, it may be constructed with the same seal strength as that of the easy-peel seal portion 41, or may be constructed with another unique seal strength. Further, the joint portion 32 may be constructed by joint means other than heat fusion, for example, joint means such as adhesion.

In the present embodiment (and in the first and second embodiments), the easy-peel seal portion 41 occupies almost the entire area (an area of 70% or more) of the heat seal band 4, and the area occupied by the strong seal portions 42 is small. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the area occupied by the strong seal portions 42 in the heat seal band 4 may be set larger than that of the easy-peel seal portion 41. If the area occupied by the strong seal portions 42 in the heat seal band 4 is increased, the volume of the liquid storage pocket 5 becomes relatively large.

Since the remaining configurations are the same as the matters described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the description is omitted here to avoid repetition.

It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiments are only mere illustrations in all respects, and should not be interpreted limitedly. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is suitably used as a packaging structure for an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An external patch packaging structure obtained by enclosing an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution in a bag material, wherein the bag material is closed by a heat seal band provided at a periphery excluding a fold line of a sheet which is folded in two, the heat seal band includes: an easy-peel seal portion; and a strong seal portion having a higher seal strength than the easy-peel seal portion, and when the easy-peel seal portion is peeled off and the bag material is opened, the strong seal portion restricts a peeling area of the heat seal band, and thus a liquid storage pocket surrounded by the fold line and the strong seal portion is formed inside the bag material.
 2. The external patch packaging structure according to claim 1, wherein the strong seal portions are provided at two positions facing each other across the fold line in the heat seal band.
 3. The external patch packaging structure according to claim 1, wherein the easy-peel seal portion has a seal strength of 7N or less, and the seal strength of the strong seal portion is 10N or more.
 4. The external patch packaging structure according to claim 2, wherein the easy-peel seal portion has a seal strength of 7N or less, and the seal strength of the strong seal portion is 10N or more.
 5. An external patch packaging structure obtained by enclosing an external patch in which a support is impregnated with a chemical solution in a bag material, wherein the bag material is closed by a heat seal band provided at a periphery of two sheets, which are overlaid in a partially joined state, excluding a joint portion, the heat seal band includes: an easy-peel seal portion; and a strong seal portion having a higher seal strength than the easy-peel seal portion, and when the easy-peel seal portion is peeled off and the bag material is opened, the strong seal portion restricts a peeling area of the heat seal band, and thus a liquid storage pocket surrounded by the joint portion and the strong seal portion is formed inside the bag material.
 6. The external patch packaging structure according to claim 5, wherein the joint portion is constructed by the strong seal portion. 